HEADLINES
EU sanctions settlers and Hamas leaders
Hezbollah drone kills IDF soldier
Knesset protesters demand state inquiry

The time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, the European Union said it will sanction several Israeli settlers who committed acts of violence against Palestinians, with sanctions also targeting leading Hamas figures. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said, “Extremisms and violence carry consequences,” and that it was time to move from deadlock to delivery. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticized the move, calling it an attempt to sanction Israeli citizens for political views without any basis and objecting to a moral equivalence drawn between Israeli citizens and Hamas. EU Ambassador Michael Mann had warned that Hungary’s vote had blocked plans to impose further penalties, and he suggested the change in Hungary could open the door to action against Israel. He noted that plans in Brussels to sanction violent settlers in the West Bank had existed for some time and could be implemented.

In Regional Impacts, the Israel Defense Forces also reported developments in southern Lebanon. An Israel Air Force helicopter failed to take off after landing to evacuate three wounded soldiers, a malfunction the military said was technical and not the result of enemy fire; a second helicopter was scrambled to complete the evacuation. The three soldiers were wounded when a drone carrying explosives detonated near their position, and their families were notified. Earlier in the day, IDF units announced the death of First Sergeant (Reserve) Alexander Glovanyov, 47, from Petah Tikva, who was killed when a Hezbollah drone struck the tank carrier he was driving near an IDF outpost on the Israeli side of the border. A preliminary investigation indicated Hezbollah fighters had launched a fiber optic drone toward Israel.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, protesters linked to the October Council gathered at the Knesset as the summer session opened, urging accountability for the October 7 massacre and the government’s handling of it. Rom Braslavski, a former Gaza hostage, told reporters, “I call on all Knesset members, everyone — just resign. Take responsibility and get out of our lives.” The group said its mission in the coming months would be to keep the massacre and the government’s perceived failures at the center of public life and to press for the formation of a state inquiry commission on the first day of the next government’s term, a condition they intend to convey to voters.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a leading German media executive addressed the World Jewish Congress in Geneva, declaring he is “a goy” and “a Zionist” and urging both Jews and non-Jews to confront antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and online radicalization to defend Western democracy. Mathias Döpfner, chief executive of Axel Springer, argued that the phrase “Never Again” has become lip service and that Western societies failed to act on the lessons of recent history. He warned that antisemitism has moved into universities, cultural institutions, social media, and streets, and he cautioned that the response to the violence after October 7 did not meet the moment.

Palestine Action’s online map and manual, which publicize targets linked to Israel’s defense industry, continued to draw attention. The map lists companies, suppliers, facilities, and individuals connected to targeted firms, and supporters are guided by an accompanying manual. Palestine Action, banned in Britain since February, is being watched by B’nai Brith Canada, which urged Ottawa to consider whether Palestine Action should be listed as a terrorist entity. The group, active since 2020, focuses on dismantling what it describes as “corporate enablers” of the Israeli military, with Elbit Systems often cited among its targets.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Cypriot member of the European Parliament Fidias Panayiotou claimed that Israel is buying Cyprus through aggressive real estate purchases and land development, drawing a response from Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus Oren Anolik, who called the comments deeply concerning. Anolik said the relationship between Israel and Cyprus rests on shared values, mutual respect, and a strong friendship, and he warned that invoking age-old stereotypes about foreign economic power to incite fear is dangerous. He further said Panayiotou’s remarks fuel antisemitism and carry an undertone of prejudice that should have no place.

In Uplifting News, a reflection on May 14 marks Israel’s historic moment. On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the modern State of Israel in Tel Aviv, and just 11 minutes later, US President Harry S. Truman extended formal recognition, making the United States the first nation to recognize the Jewish state. The piece notes that May 14 and the Hebrew calendar date of the 14th of Iyar have aligned on the calendar in 1948, 1986, and 2005, with the next overlap not until 2035. It invites readers to treat these dates as two parts of the same story and to celebrate Israel’s independence while remembering the moment of recognition.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-895801
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-895802
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-895800
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-895804
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-895677